Unnecessary UTI testing cut by 45%
Editor's Note Making a simple change to the electronic system used by physicians to order urine tests can cut by 45% the number of bacterial cultures ordered without compromising the identification of patients who need treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs), this study finds. In this analysis of 18,954 patients…
FDA: Class I recall of ICU Medical’s ChemoLock Vial Spike
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on February 22 identified the recall by ICU Medical (San Clemente, California) of its ChemoLock Vial Spike (20 mm) as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the potential for plastic particles to break off the protective cap.…
Mortality rates lower in areas with more primary care physicians
Editor's Note Communities in the US with more primary care physicians had lower mortality rates than those with fewer physicians, this study finds. Results showed a: 51.5 day increase in life expectancy for every 10 additional primary care physicians per 100,000 people 19.2 day increase in life expectancy for every…
FDA: Class I recall of Smiths Medical Sterile Saline and Water for Inhalation
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on February 4 identified the recall by Smiths Medical (Minneapolis, Minnesota) of certain lots of Sterile Saline and Water for Inhalation as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of potential exposure to infectious agents (bacillus infantis and staphylococcus…
OSA screening boosts patient safety and bottom line
An estimated 22 million people in the US have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but up to 80% of cases are undiagnosed, and some 30% to 40% of the surgical population has diagnosed or suspected sleep apnea. More than 3 years ago, the Joint Commission issued a Quick Safety document about…
Surgical transfer unit allows patients to bypass ED
There are few things more disheartening for patients than having to board in the emergency department (ED) for long periods while waiting for a bed. ED boarding can also delay treatment and adds to overcrowding and backups. Erlanger Health System, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, decided to tackle this problem head…
'Noncritical' OR items deserve due diligence in disinfection
Much emphasis has been placed on high-level disinfection over the past several years; however, low- and intermediate-level disinfection are also performed in healthcare facilities and are an important part of an infection prevention program. Noncritical items, defined by the Spaulding Classification as those that may contact intact skin, are cleaned…
ASCs react to 2019 regulatory changes
Each year, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) adapt to numerous federal regulatory policy reforms. As an example, since 2012, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Ambulatory Surgery Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program ASCs had been asking for, ASCs have reported data for a changing set of…
Factors linked to functional recovery of geriatric major surgery patients
Editor's Note In this prospective study, nonfrailty and elective surgery were positively associated with functional recovery of older patients after major surgery. Of 754 community-living patients 70 years or older who were analyzed, 266 survived major surgery with increased disability and were monitored for 6 months. A total of 174…
FDA: Class I recall of Medtronic’s Dual Chamber Implantable Pulse Generators
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on February 15 identified Medtronic, Inc’s (Dublin, Ireland) recall of it’s Dual Chamber Implantable Pulse Generators (IPGs) as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the possibility of a software error that can result in a lack of…
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